“NETWORK BLACKOUT”
AMTOB secretary general Mohammad Zulfikar said shutdowns of data centres would create ripple effects across the wider network.
“A partial or complete network blackout could bring calls, internet, SMS (text messages) and all other services to a standstill or cause severe disruption,” he told AFP.
“The internet may become painfully slow or go down entirely, as data centres are the command hubs where traffic is routed and controlled.”
The government hiked fuel prices on Saturday, including raising diesel by 15 per cent, from 100 to 115 taka (US$0.93) a litre, and petrol by 16 per cent, from 116 to 135 taka (US$1.09) a litre.
The increase triggered demands from bus and water transport owners for fare adjustments.
Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud told reporters on Sunday that Bangladesh had to raise the prices due to the global crisis.
“The entire world has adjusted prices – even the US,” he said.
Depots were ordered to supply more fuel to filling stations at the revised prices – but it has so far made little impact.
Md Sagar, 30, a motorbike driver, said he has not seen any improvement. “I waited for three hours and moved only a few metres,” he told AFP.
Another driver, Zakir Mia, said it took him 16 hours on Sunday to refill his car.
“People in the queue had to spend 10-12 hours at fuel stations,” he said.
